God is Good!

It has been nearly forever since I last wrote on this blog, and I really kind of forgot I ever wrote on it, to be honest. However, as I read back over entries, it amazes me how God has provided, has worked, and has blessed! My last post talked about two dreams I had of going to Maui and Italy. Well, BOTH of those things have since happened! How amazing is that???!!! I would definitely recommend a trip to both places and would love to return to those places as well. As a matter of fact, I could see myself living in Italy for short periods. It's just so beautiful, historical, and amazing. No doubt!

A second dream (or 3rd technically) is that I now own my own business! I had written about a quilt store, which would still be a really cool thing; however, I opened a natural health store in Harvey just 9 months ago. God had put the plan in motion way back in 2009 to do something different. I can't even believe it actually has come to fruition. I am needing to be busier than I am; however, I do believe God allowed this to happen, so He will provide or show me what to do instead/next.

Sigh...what a cool thing to discover. My own thoughts!

Aloha and Ciao!

    As I think of all of the places I'd really rather be at than here in -24 degree North Dakota, I can only think of Maui and Venice as my top ranking choices. My dream planning continues as I await a trip to Italy sometime in the next year, with any good planning and saving. I just love to travel and really want to experience more new things with each passing year of my life.
     My family and I went to Disney World in January, and as part of that trip, we went on a Disney cruise to the Bahamas and Castaway Cay, Disney's private island. The girls absolutely LOVED the cruise and DW as well. When I ask them now if they'd do anything again, they've all responded that they'd go on the cruise again. I cannot tell you how TOP of the LINE Disney cruises are! Everything is so immaculately gorgeous and well thought out. Every detail is taken care of for each traveler. I think I could become a Disney salesperson! In fact, Jae seems to have loved it so much, she's considering applying for an internship with Disney and working in their park or cruise line instead of some immediate college plans. I can't say that I disagree. I love adventure; I really do!
    As we head further into 2014, the Reutter family has some big events coming up! In March, Larry and I will be married 10 YEARS! Time has flown, for sure. In April, Maci will turn 6, and I will turn 6 x 7 + 1. Then in May Jae has her biggest event...GRADUATION! I know she can hardly wait to be free and experiencing life at her own pace. I keep praying she will hunger and thirst for God once again and seek Him for all wisdom.
     As we continue to press on through the winter season which seems to have no end, I am thankful for our health. Many people have had the dreaded flu and other gastrointestinal ailments, but God has kept us well! It's so good to use my Young Living oils nearly daily to keep our immune systems boosted. I would love to somehow grow my blog, as I've mentioned before. I'm just never sure what exactly to post. Perhaps I'll start with some small natural health tips to see if there is any interest.
     First, I encourage everyone to invest in at least one really good essential oil. That would be Thieves. Thieves is a good, all-around oil which can nearly be a panacea for all that ails. It helps kill mold, strengthen immunity, heal sore throats, disinfect, and on and on. Diffuse this oil, put a drop or two on your tongue (if you can handle the heat!), or rub on to feet or neck and chest to combat the winter colds. Do yourself a favor! Use Thieves!

My, oh my!

My, oh my! Time has gone by much faster than I even noticed. The last post was in JANUARY!!! Where in the world have I been?

Summer has FINALLY, well, kind of, arrived here in ND. We at least got rid of the snow from the ground. That is an incredibly great feat considering what our March and April were like. I, for one, absolutely dread the thought of another winter day. So...on to summer!

My goals for the summer are really pretty simple. I'd like to actually spend some time on my new lawn furniture under my gazebo, take a road trip somewhere out of the state, sew on some projects, and get the girls to do a little more helping out around the house. Not too much to ask for this year, I don't think.

Enjoy the end of spring/beginning of summer, all!

1940's

I am so in love with the era of the 1940's. Why? I'm not so sure. I think I love that "feel" of the age's romance. That romance of a true hero rescuing a lady of the time. The men looked so honorable, and the women looked like they were having so much fun! I know that isn't the reality. I'm sure of it since it was also the day of food rationing, men dying at war, and other sad and horrible things. Thank God for delivering us from those hard times! But I still love that exciting feel of the big band days, the grandeur of attending a movie when it was not so commonplace. I love the look of the war planes, the handsome soldiers, the confident young women going off to work for themselves for some of the first times in history. It's just fun to look at.

What's more exciting than looking at a 1940's scene????? Getting a chance to LIVE it! My hope is to plan a 1940's themed party for the bank's Heritage Club. I don't have a date or anything truly planned yet, but it's in the works. This'll be so fun. Here's to hoping my reality turns out as great as the thoughts in my head!!!! :)

Invisible

I just watched a short video called "The Invisible Woman". I cried near the end as it so closely hits home for me. I had read in a book over a year ago how some women (especially an overweight one like myself) feel almost invisible to those around them. Wow. That really touches a nerve with me. I think for a very long time I have felt so invisible. No one REALLY cares if I am around. No one REALLY wants to listen to me talk. Even though my body is so big, my influence is so little, it seems. People don't care about the stories I find funny or cute or serious. No one really knows the "me" I am.

I guess what I long for intensely is intimacy. Sure, I'm married, but I don't mean intimacy of the sexual kind. I long for someone to know me. I don't think Larry could ever tell you what my deepest fear is or my greatest joy. No one could. That's what I long for. Intimacy. I have it with God, yes. But I really want a person-to-person intimate friend. I have it most with Michelle. She's the one I am certainly most real with. Maybe that's what I need to cultivate...the time spent with her to become more open with another human being, not being afraid to really tell what inside this head of mine.

God help me on this journey. I know it'll be for the best even through some pain. :)

Heading into Fall...

The days are definitely shorter up here in North Dakota! Interestingly, the days in Hawaii are ALWAYS short! Even though they have the beautiful scenery there all year round and the lovely temps as well, they get 12 short hours of light each day. So there! Life isn't ALL perfect in Hawaii! It just seems like you should get to stay outside and play a lot longer in the land of paradise, but the sun goes down around 6:00 p.m. each evening. So for your day's encouragement, realize that even the Hawaiians must feel that the days are not long enough after work, since the daylight goes away. : )



Happy Fall to everyone! I am finally embracing the idea of the oranges and browns, and I have proven it by placing some decorations up in my house finally. I hadn't felt like doing anything of the sort until just today. So, there's progress in me, I dare say!



On the schedule for October still looms the butchering of the chickens. I/WE have all grown quite attached to our birds, so it was with hearty gladness that I told my neighbor lady that I would LOVE to just trade some of her already butchered birds for my live birds in order for her to have some egg layers throughout the winter. Wonders never cease! I, of course, will have to get over the attachment to these critters, but, for now, I certainly feel much better about the situation. : )



Cliche!

 

     I know it's so cliche to say it, but where in the heck did summer go????? I had such good intentions of posting more often (as if anyone is reading???), but those intentions did not pan out so well.
    My major decision at the end of summer was to resign from teaching at Goodrich. I did feel somewhat guilty since I do love the staff and kids there, but I think I was feeling far more stress than I realized. My home projects just do not get finished the way it is, the kids keep growing, activities keep taking place, and I just needed a wee bit of a break from an everyday job. I will keep working at the bank, and I do really like that, but at least it's not 5 days a week for now.

 

      I can hear all the questions about what happened to the chickens, right?!? They're still growing and even changing. We've now got FIVE, yes 5, roosters! We started out thinking there were none, but some pubertal changes have hit, and it seems like 5 roosters it will be. They sure do love to hear themselves squawk! It's been such a great project, however. The girls have absolutely loved hanging out with the chickens. I fear that we will certainly not be able to eat our feathered friends. We have grown quite attached. Sigh.... : )

 



 

Have a super day everyone!

All's Well...

     Here it is, mid July! Well, the chickens arrived (all 25 + 1 extra)! The one extra did not survive the first two days; however, all of the others are doing great. They are nearly 5 weeks old already, and my girls absolutely LOVE these chickens. It's so fun to watch them constantly trying to catch them. Of course, we are all growing a little too attached to them, I fear. We love to hug them for heaven's sake! The dogs (Lincoln especially) are also fond of them, but for a different reason. They'd love to have a snack if just given a chance. : )

     As the time has flown by, we've taken in the Wells County Fair and several trips to the dentist. We still have a big dental procedure for Maci to take place at the end of the month. Hopefully we can all be OK during that! The next big thing for us would be our family vacation. I've been trying to purposefully take a week off each summer so that we do SOMETHING. Otherwise, NOTHING seems to happen by way of pleasureful outings with the kids. I have placed the planning in Larry's hands, so I can't even tell you where or what we'll be doing. Therefore, a mystery date is line!

     Part of my last day of vacation time will involve me going on a motorcycle journey, however. My friend Michelle and I are taking in the North Dakota Ladies Run which heads to Wahpeton this year. I have never done this before, so I'm hoping it's a good time. It'll be nice to just get away with Michelle and do some riding. I'll try to keep you posted!

Aaahhhh....

My first day off in sooo long is today! No school for me! No bank work for me! I will hopefully get some work around the house done, but that is the usual, I guess.

I'm still waiting on those chickens and have not gotten the email telling me they'll be here soon, but I think I have about two weeks to wait. I'm getting a bit nervous.

I also have a tilled garden now but can't plant it until it is worked another time. Our garden has been wet (flooded wet) for over three years now, so this will be its first crop in four years. I hope the soil will be productive. We may still have a water issue as puddles form after even the slightest rainfall, but I'll give it a whirl!

Final Countdown!

This is it! The last week of school for me! I'm excited for the end of a busy school calendar schedule and for more time to just BE. I am also looking forward to a suprise birthday party for a teaching colleague on Thursday after school. The theme is "Mad Scientist". This should be so exciting and fun, and I really hope he likes it. Maybe I'll remember to take pictures (I'm very bad at this task...) and post them later on.

I'm also in the planning stages of a trip to Hawaii. I am taking my mom to her dream destination sometimes at the end of September (if all goes well) to celebrate her 60th birthday. I was not really looking forward to this very much since I would really like to be going to Europe myself, but as the pictures flash by on my screen and the planning is progressing...I think I'm going to love this time. It will be a precious time for my mom and me to really bond.

I am on the mend from a bit of a heart break this week. A personal issue with a family member left me reeling a bit, but I am praying for a heart of forgiveness and complete restoration. God is good, and I will grow and mature through this I'm sure.

May all be well with you! : )

  So beautiful! It's starting to feel REAL!!!!